Water is soft at some times of day but intermittently hard, especially during high demand periods.

Safety first: No internal work is required for basic checks.

• Measure hardness at different times: Test softened water hardness during peak usage (morning/evening) and low usage. Note any patterns.
• Verify hardness setting: Ensure the programmed hardness matches the actual mains hardness. Under‑setting hardness will cause premature exhaustion.
• Check twin‑tank operation: On non‑electric Kinetico twin‑tank units, observe that both tanks regenerate alternately. If one tank never regenerates, the control disc or meter may be faulty.
• Assess demand: Compare the softener's rated capacity with the number of occupants and appliances. If demand exceeds capacity, consider upgrading or adding a pre‑filter to reduce fouling.

Warning: Persistent intermittent hardness despite correct settings suggests a mechanical fault; contact a Kinetico UK dealer for a capacity and system review.